Friction-Based Exercise Apparatus

ABSTRACT

A friction-based exercise device is disclosed. Contemplated exercise devices comprise a segmented shaft having one or more longitudinal patterns running the length of the shafts or shaft segments. Cylindrical sliders can be slid onto the shaft where an interior surface of the slider comprises a complimentary pattern to and frictionally engages with the longitudinal pattern of the shaft. When under a gripping force of a user, the sliders flex inward toward the shaft and increases friction resistance as the user slides the sliders along the shaft.

This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. provisionalapplication having Ser. No. 61/387,364 filed Sep. 28, 2010. This and allother extrinsic materials discussed herein are incorporated by referencein their entirety. Where a definition or use of a term in anincorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition ofthat term provided herein, the definition of that term provided hereinapplies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the invention is fitness technologies.

BACKGROUND

Fitness equipment takes on many different sizes, shapes, orfunctionalities targeting different regions of the body or targetingdifferent types of users (e.g., men, women, children, etc.).Unfortunately, most devices can be quite dangerous to use because thedevice can exceed a user's safe-use threshold. For example, a user mightunexpectedly exhaust their capabilities while exercising with freeweights, thus putting the user at risk of injury due to loss of controlover the weights. Better exercise devices would naturally operate undercontrol of a user and well within the user's safety threshold at anygiven time during use, especially after long use when the user becomesmost fatigued.

One possible approach to designing a safe exercise device includes usinguser-controlled friction resistance components as opposed to mechanicalsprings, weights, bands, or other components that can easily put a userin danger. Such user controlled friction resistance components canprovide resistance based on a user's grip. As the user fatigues, theirgrip also lessens, which in turn ensures the user remains within theirsafety limits.

Example friction based equipment include the following references:

U.S. Pat. No. 3,637,205 to Bankston titled “Hand Exercising andFrictional Resistant-Type Exercising Device”, filed Jul. 9, 1970,describes a rod having a slideable sleeve, which a user grips.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,971,255 to Varney et al. titled “Exercise Apparatus”,filed Aug. 4, 1975, describes a device having hand grips having anadjustable braking means to create friction.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,580,778 to Van Noord titled “Portable ExercisingApparatus with Force Gauge”, filed Mar. 12, 1984, describes a powerslide that has a friction mounting.

U.S. patent application publication 2006/0276314 to Wilson et al. titled“Bar with Sliding Handgrips for Resistance Exercise Devices”, filed Jun.16, 2006, describes sliding handgrips for an exercise bar where thehandgrips include rollers, which slide along the exercise bar.

Interestingly, the above devices fail to place a user in full control offriction resistance while also providing a device that would also becompletely portable.

Unless the context dictates the contrary, all ranges set forth hereinshould be interpreted as being inclusive of their endpoints andopen-ended ranges should be interpreted to include only commerciallypractical values. Similarly, all lists of values should be considered asinclusive of intermediate values unless the context indicates thecontrary.

Thus, there is still a need for exercise devices allowing a user to havereal-time control over friction resistance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The inventive subject matter provides apparatus, systems and methods inwhich an exercise apparatus can have a rigid shaft, preferably asegmented shaft, on which one or more user-based friction resistancesliders can be positioned. In some embodiments, the sliders arecylindrical hollow sliders that slide onto the shaft so that the sliderscan slide along the length of the shaft in an axial direction. Thesliders preferably are configured to frictionally engage the shaft basedon a gripping force from an individual. As the user fatigues, their gripwill lessen thus ensuring the user has a reduced risk of injury.

In some embodiments of the inventive subject matter, multiple shaftsegments can be combined together to form a longer shaft. A shaft canhave two, three, four, or more segments. Shaft segments can be held inposition relative to one another via shaft joints and tensioned toretain rigidity via an internally disposed post tensioning bar. Shaftsegments can also include longitudinal patterns, grooves for example,running the length of the shaft segments. When segments are combined,the shaft joints ensure the longitudinal patterns remain substantiallycontinuous from one segment to another.

Preferred sliders comprise multiple slats having on an internal surfacea complementary pattern to that of the longitudinal pattern on thesegmented shafts. For example, if the longitudinal pattern comprisesgrooves, the slider's internal complementary pattern could includerails. As a user grips the slider, the slats can flex radially towardthe axis of the shaft under a gripping force of the user. The magnitudeof the gripping force frictionally engages the patter of the slats withthe pattern of the shaft giving rise to friction resistance as the usermoves the sliders axially along the shaft.

Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventivesubject matter will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanyingdrawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a schematic overview of a segmented friction-based exercisedevice and its associated parts.

FIG. 2 presents a two segment configuration of a contemplated exercisedevice.

FIG. 3 presents a four segment configuration of a contemplated exercisedevice having an end plate and suitable for use in a standing position.

FIG. 4 presents a more detailed overview of an end plate assembly.

FIG. 5 presents different segment configurations a contemplated exercisedevice.

FIG. 6 presents a configuration of the exercise device having appendageattachments.

FIG. 7 presents a wheel attachment.

FIG. 8 presents a more detailed overview of a wheel attachment having awheel bearing.

FIG. 9 presents an alternative slider assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used herein, and unless the context dictates otherwise, the term“coupled to” is intended to include both direct coupling (in which twoelements that are coupled to each other contact each other) and indirectcoupling (in which at least one additional element is located betweenthe two elements). Therefore, the terms “coupled to” and “coupled with”are used synonymously.

The following discussion provides many example embodiments of theinventive subject matter. Although each embodiment represents a singlecombination of inventive elements, the inventive subject matter isconsidered to include all possible combinations of the disclosedelements. Thus if one embodiment comprises elements A, B, and C, and asecond embodiment comprises elements B and D, then the inventive subjectmatter is also considered to include other remaining combinations of A,B, C, or D, even if not explicitly disclosed.

As discussed previously, known exercise devices fail to providecontinuous user-controlled friction resistance. What has yet to beappreciated is a friction-based exercise device can be constructedhaving hand grip sliders disposed on a segmented shaft where a user'sgrip controls friction resistance in a uniform manner around the grip.Such a device can be used for a full body workout.

In a preferred embodiment, the shaft comprises a longitudinal patternedsurface running the length of the shaft. An interior surface of a sliderpreferably has a complimentary patterned surface that frictionallyengages the longitudinal pattern of the shaft. For example, the shaftcan include grooves running the length of the shaft and the slider'sinterior surface can comprise one or more rails that frictionally engagewithin the grooves. Such mechanical engagements are consideredadvantageous to prevent rotation of the sliders during use. Otherpatterns are also contemplated including textured grooves or rails,spiral grooves or rails, tracks for bearings or wheels in the slider, orother types of patterns.

The shaft can include one or more segments to allow a user to break theapparatus down into smaller components for easy portability or fordifferent exercises. Longer shafts having two, three, four, or moresegments can be used for standing exercises while shorter shafts havingfewer segments can be used for upper body exercises. In some embodimentsthe shaft can be formed from extruded aluminum tubing where theextrusion process also forms grooves in the shaft.

To prevent flexing of the shaft during use, the segments can bepost-tensioned through a post-tensioning bar inserted axially within ahollow cavity of the shaft. The bar can be tensioned through one or moreshaft end caps, possibly through mechanically coupling with the bar.Once tensioned, the shaft remains under pressure and remains rigidduring use. The post-tensioning bar can be segmented as well.

Segments of the shaft can be coupled via one or more segment joints thatinsert into a hollow cavity of the segments while also providing desiredspacing between the segments. The joints can also have a lumen throughwhich a post-tensioning bar can be threaded. Further, the shaft jointscan be configured to provide continuity of the longitudinal pattern fromone shaft segment to another. For example, the shaft joint could includea circular ridge is flush with the external surfaces of the shaftsegments, including the pattern, so that the sliders can move freelyfrom on segment, across the joint, to another segment withoutsubstantially catching on the interfacing edges of the segments.

A roughly cylindrical slider can comprise multiple independentlyflexible slats disposed around an axis of the slider. Preferably eachslat can flex radially inward toward the outer surface of the shaftindependent of other slats in the slider. A preferred configurationcomprises three slats positioned at roughly 120 degrees apart around theaxis of the slider. Such spacing contributes to ensuring contact pointsof the slider's interior surfaces have equally distributed frictionaround the axis when griped, which would likely be unachievable inconfigurations having a greater number of slats. However, adjusting thenumber of slats in the slider is still considered to fall within thescope of the inventive subject matter. For example a slider could havetwo, four, five, or more internal slats. The slats in a single slidercan typically be substantially identical to each other, while in otherembodiments the slats in a slider could comprise different materials toadjust friction resistance as desired.

Slats preferably comprise a material that would have a desirablecoefficient of friction when engaged with the shaft, with or without auser's grip. Example materials can include Teflon®, nylon, or othermaterials. In view of the sliders frictionally engaging the shaft, thesliders eventually show wear. At which point the user can purchasereplacement slats or sliders.

In preferred embodiments, the exercise device includes at least twosliders, where two of the sliders could have different coefficients offriction without a user's grip. Providing sliders of differentcoefficients of friction allows users a greater range of exercises. Forexample, a high resistance slider can be gripped lightly to retain thesliders position, while a low resistance slider requires a tighter gripto exercise a target muscle group. It is also contemplated that a slidercould include a friction brake to hold the slider in place, possibly inthe form of a clamp, rubber gasket, screw, or other brake that wouldsubstantially hold the slider in place.

Contemplated exercise apparatus can also include one or more additionalcomponents to broaden the range of available exercises. Examplecomponents can include a wheel that can be placed between two sliders ona shaft segment, a plate can be attached to an end of the shaft forvertical exercises where the plate is held stationary via the user'sfeet, spring loaded weights can be added to the end of a segment tocreate an oscillating dumbbell, or even appendage (e.g., leg, arms, etc)attachments that allow the sliders or shaft to couple securely with anappendage while the user grips the slider. For example, a leg harness orstirrup can be attached to a slider, which then can securely attach to auser's legs. The user grips the sliders to increase the frictionalresistance of the sliders and then exercises their legs against theresistance.

One should appreciate that a force or a pressure gauge is unnecessarybecause the exercise apparatus provides safe and instant frictionresistance based a user's capability at a given point in time during theworkout. One can consider the device as adapting instantaneously in areal-time fashion to the user throughout a workout. Gauges simply lackaccuracy and eventually fail, which could cause the user to unknowinglyenter a potentially risky situation. Still, it is contemplated that insome embodiments one can include pressure gauges, repetition counters,or other additional components as desired.

A prototype of the above described apparatus was created based on asegmented aluminum shaft having two sliders comprising interior surfacesof nylon and Teflon. The device proved to be effective and weighed lessthan 1.7 Kg. The device proved to be quite robust even in view of thedevice being modular and having a low weight. When tensioned via apost-tension bar, the device became quite rigid capable of withstandinga high stress workout over an extended period of time and over many workouts, even when the device was configured with four segments.

Preferred devices have segmented shafts of low weight and high stiffness(e.g., does not flex) where stiffness (S) can be expressed as a forcedivided by an amount of deflection (d) (e.g., S=F/d). The prototypeflexes less than one millimeter (0.001 m) when under one Newton offorce. The inventive subject matter is considered to include exerciseapparatus having a modular or segmented shaft having stiffness-to-weight(S/W) ratio greater than 500 N/m Kg. Note that the prototype has an S/Wratio of (1N/(0.001 m×1.7 Kg)) 588 N/m Kg. Through the use of stronger,lighter materials (e.g., carbon fiber, etc.) contemplated segmenteddevices can have an S/W ratio greater than 1000 N/m Kg, or even greaterthan 2000 N/m Kg.

FIG. 1 presents an overview of a modular, portable exercise apparatus100. Apparatus 100 can include shaft 110 comprising one or more ofsegments 115 where the shaft has longitudinal pattern (e.g., groove)running the length of shaft 110. In the example shown, longitudinalpattern 116 comprises three sets of two closely spaced triangular shapedgrooves where each set is disposed at about 120 degrees around theshaft. Apparatus 100 can also include one or more of cylindrical slider120 that slide on to shaft 110 and are configured to glide alongsegments 115. Sliders 120 provide friction resistant under pressure orforce exerted by a user's grip, which causes internal slats 123 to flexinward radially toward shaft 110. Sliders 120 can be configured toprovide varying degrees of natural (e.g., un-gripped) frictionresistance as desired. In a preferred embodiment one of slider 120 has ahigher natural friction resistance than another slider 120. Note thatslats 123 form an interior surface of sliders 120 where the interiorsurface adjacent to the exterior surface of shaft 110 has acomplementary pattern 126 (e.g., rails) to the longitudinal pattern ofshaft 110. In more preferred embodiments, slider 120 comprises three ofslats 123 place at approximately 120 degrees around the axis of slider120. The interior surface of sliders 120 frictionally engages shaft 110.Complementary pattern 126 preferably couples with longitudinal pattern116 to prevent rotation of sliders 120 about the axis of shaft 110during a workout. Additional embodiments of a slider can be found inreference to FIG. 9. Longitudinal pattern 116, as illustrated, can havea triangular cross section, while other embodiments can have other crosssectional shapes: square, semi-circular, rectangular, semi-elliptical,or other cross sectional shapes. Apparatus 100 can also include one ormore of post-tensioning bar 130, which can also be segmented as shown.Bar 130 can be inserted into shaft 110 and can be tensioned to preventshaft 110 from flexing. Segments 115 can be joined together via one ormore of shaft joints 117. Sliders 120 are prevented from leaving shaft110 by removable end caps 119.

FIG. 2 presents one possible configuration of apparatus 100. Theconfiguration shown comprises two segments 115 forming shaft 110.Post-tensioning bar 130 threads axially through shaft 110, shaft joint117, and end plugs 118. End caps 119 couple with bar 130, preferably viaa threaded mechanical coupler, and allow the user to tighten tension onbar 130, thus preventing shaft 110 from flexing during an exerciseregimen.

In the example shown, one of slider 120 has a higher coefficient offriction relative to the other slider 120. In some embodiments, thesliders are color coded to allow the user to determine which slider hasa greater natural resistance. For example, a red slider could indicate ahigher natural coefficient of friction while a green slider couldindicate a relatively lower natural coefficient of friction.

The configuration shown can be used for an upper body work out. Forexample, a user grips the high friction slider 120 holding it stationaryrelative to the shaft while the user also grips the other low frictionslider 120. The user can then exercise upper body muscle groups bysliding the low friction slider 120 along the shaft under resistancecreated by their grip and due to the materials of the low frictionslider 120. One should note all possible configurations or variations ofuse are contemplated.

FIG. 3 presents another possible configuration of apparatus 100comprising four segments 115 in a vertical arrangement. Apparatus 100also include end plate 140 that couples to end plug 118 (not shown inFIG. 3) and is held in place by end cap 119 (also not shown in FIG. 3).An example standing exercise could include the user gripping upperslider 120 with both hands to create a resistance and standing on endplate 140 with their feet. The user can then bend at the waist using theslider's resistance as an opposing force to target a user's midsectionmuscles.

FIG. 4 provides a more detailed view of how end plate 140 engages an endof apparatus 100. Post-tensioning bar 130 axially threads throughsegments 115, shaft joints 117, and through end plug 118. End plug 118can comprise a patterned end that engages with end plate 140 to preventrotation. End cap 119 can mechanically couple with bar 130 via athreaded connector, which allows the user to tight bar 130 to preventflexing of segments 115 during use.

FIG. 5 illustrates apparatus 100 can be arranged in numerousconfigurations including vertical configurations having two, three,four, or more of segments 115. A two segment configuration can be usedin a sitting position by placing plate 140 under the user's lap.Furthermore, adjusting the number of segments 115 in apparatus 100provides for sizing or dimensioning apparatus 100 to fit a particularuser's size, to target specific muscle groups, or to target desiredexercises.

FIG. 6 presents a possible embodiment of apparatus 100 that includes oneor more attachments 150 that can be used to increase the range ofaccessible muscle groups or range of exercises available to the user. Inthe example shown, the attachments include appendage attachment 150,thigh stirrups for example, that couple with sliders 120. A user canplace their thighs within attachment 150 while gripping sliders 120. Theuser creates resistance by gripping sliders 120 and then moves theirthighs toward each other and away from each other against the resistancecrated by the user's grip.

FIG. 7 presents another type of attachment, which can include abdominalwheel 153. Abdominal wheel 153 is configured to freely rotate about anaxis of shaft 110 (not shown in FIG. 7) while sliders 120 are preventedfrom rotating as discussed above. A user can grip sliders 120 and placewheel 153 against a floor or other surface. The user can then performvarious exercises targeting the abdominal region by rolling wheel 153along the floor, possibly in a push-up like motion.

FIG. 8 presents an exploded view of abdominal wheel 153. Of particularnote, abdominal wheel 153 can include wheel bearing 155, which can alsoinclude complementary pattern 123. Thus, bearing 155 grips a shaftsegment 115 while allowing wheel 153 to rotate freely around bearing155.

FIG. 9 presents an exploded view of another possible slider embodiment.Slider assembly 920, similar to slider assembly 120 presented in FIG. 1,also includes slats 923, slider caps 925, and grip 921. In addition,slider assembly 920 comprises fillers 924 that fit within grooves on theback side or externally facing side of slats 923. Fillers 924 aid indistributing gripping force across the longitudinal length of slats 923.Further, fillers 924 also create a flush outer surface for slats 923.When a person grips slider assembly 920, the person feels asubstantially smooth gripping surface, increasing comfort to the user.

Slider assembly 920 comprises additional features. When slider assembly920 is fully assembled and placed on a shaft or a shaft segment,complimentary pattern 926 on slats 923 fully engage the shaft'slongitudinal pattern's, with little or no radial gaps between the shaftexternal surface and internal surface of slats 923. Such an approachincreases a friction resistance sensitivity of slider assembly 920 whenunder a person's grip. A small change in grip pressure can significantlyalter friction of the slider assembly allowing a much greater range ofapplied friction while also reducing grip fatigue.

It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many moremodifications besides those already described are possible withoutdeparting from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subjectmatter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of theappended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification andthe claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possiblemanner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises”and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements,components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that thereferenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized,or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are notexpressly referenced. Where the specification claims refers to at leastone of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C . . . andN, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from thegroup, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.

1. An exercise apparatus comprising: a shaft having a longitudinalpattern running a length of the shaft; a cylindrical slider configuredto slide onto the shaft and having an interior surface comprising acomplementary pattern to the longitudinal pattern where the interiorsurface frictionally engages the shaft under a griping force of anindividual.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the shaft is segmented3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the shaft is hollow and furthercomprises a post-tensioning bar running the length of the shaftinterior.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, where in the post-tensing bar issegmented.
 5. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a segmentjoint configured to couple two shaft segments together.
 6. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein the cylindrical slider comprises multiplelongitudinal slats circumferentially disposed about an axis of theslider and defining the interior surface.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6,further comprising three longitudinal slats disposed at approximatelyevery 120 degrees about the axis of the slider.
 8. The apparatus ofclaim 6, wherein the slats comprise a flexible material and areconfigured to flex toward the shaft in response to a user gripping theslider.
 9. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the slats are independentlyflexible.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising multiplecylindrical sliders.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein at least twoof the sliders have different base coefficients of friction with respectto the shaft when free of the griping force.
 12. The apparatus of claim1, wherein the slider resists rotation about its axis when disposed onthe shaft due to the complementary patterned interior surface engagingwith the longitudinal pattern of the shaft.
 13. The apparatus of claim1, further comprising an end cap configured to couple with an end of theshaft.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising an end plateconfigured to securely couple with at least one end of the shaft via theend cap.
 15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the end cap isconfigured to tension a post-tension bar disposed within the shaft. 16.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the longitudinal pattern comprisesgrooves.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the complementarypattern of the interior surface comprises rails configured to mate withthe grooves.
 18. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a wheelattachment.
 19. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at leastone weight configured to attach to an end of the shaft.
 20. Theapparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one appendageattachment configured to couple with the cylindrical slider.